Dragon Ball: The Mystery of Why Saiyans Didn’t Utilize Zenkai Boosts Against Frieza

Understanding Why Saiyans Didn’t Exploit Zenkai Boosts Against Frieza

Key Insights

Saiyans faced challenges in utilizing Zenkai Boosts due to high risks involved.
Frieza’s army controlled vital healing technology, limiting Saiyan potential for exploitation.
King Vegeta’s fears and pride played a significant role in hindering the Saiyans’ use of Zenkai Boosts.

Many enthusiasts of the Dragon Ball franchise have pondered a fascinating question: Why didn’t the Saiyans during King Vegeta’s reign capitalize on Zenkai Boosts to overthrow Frieza? This ability, though often overshadowed by more prominent techniques like the Kamehameha or Galick Gun, is vital for understanding the Saiyan lineage’s potential. Without Zenkai Boosts, characters like Goku, Vegeta, and their half-breed offspring would not have achieved their remarkable powers.

“You can bleed us to the brink of death, crush every bone in our bodies; it only makes us more powerful!” – Vegeta

If the Saiyans, known for their capability as world-conquering space pirates, had a theoretical “cheat code”to infinite strength, why wasn’t it leveraged more effectively? In theory, one Saiyan could severely injure another, revive them, and then repeat the cycle. Instances in the series, such as when Vegeta directed Krillin to damage him for a Zenkai Boost, illustrate that this strategy could be efficient. Despite this, the Saiyan race did not fully utilize the potential gift of Zenkai Boosts.

Frieza’s Preventative Measures

Control Over Healing Technology

To achieve a Zenkai Boost, a Saiyan must first endure a life-threatening injury. However, intentionally inflicting such injuries carries inherent risks—namely, the risk of death. The Saiyans lacked the medical expertise to ensure survival and healing effectively. The most dependable method for healing was through the healing pods owned by Frieza’s army. Yet, if the Saiyans began using these facilities too frequently, Frieza would quickly become aware of their actions and intentions.

Moreover, even if they managed to devise an alternative method for recuperation, Frieza and his forces could employ scouters to monitor power levels. During King Vegeta’s era, Saiyans were incapable of masking their ki signatures, making it simple for Frieza to identify those who were growing too powerful. It’s reasonable to assume that Frieza systematically eliminated Saiyans who excessively benefitted from Zenkai Boosts to maintain his dominance.

King Vegeta’s Own Inhibitions

The Impact of Saiyan Pride

King Vegeta’s actions also contributed significantly to the constraints faced by Saiyans. The king himself likely eliminated any Saiyan who threatened his power or that of his lineage. A prime example includes Broly, a character whose potential threatened King Vegeta’s authority. In various iterations of the story, King Vegeta either ordered Broly’s assassination or banished him to a distant world, showcasing his willingness to eliminate rivals.

If the Saiyan king was willing to remove anyone who outshone him, what hope was there for the rest of the race to safely exploit Zenkai Boosts? The paranoia stemming from King Vegeta’s pride ultimately led to the downfall of their entire race.

Why Goku, Vegeta, and Their Offspring Avoid Zenkai Boosts

Cultural Values and Practicality

So, with the knowledge of Zenkai Boosts in mind, why haven’t Goku, Vegeta, and the rest of the Z Fighters employed these tactics? They possess multiple healing resources at their disposal, including Senzu Beans, Dende’s healing, and the Dragon Balls for severe cases.

However, Senzu Beans are rare, with only Korin providing them, and they require time to grow—a luxury not available during battle. Using Dragon Balls solely for healing also appears impractical. Dende, as Earth’s guardian, has more pressing duties than catering to their power-boosting efforts.

Additionally, each Saiyan has individual motivations against resorting to artificial means of attaining power:

Both Goku and Vegeta embody strong pride, favoring hard-won victories through intense training and real battles over relying on a power-up. While Vegeta utilized a Zenkai Boost once in desperation, it was a rare exception.
Gohan prefers to shy away from fighting, making him unlikely to pursue such strategies for power enhancement.
As for the younger Saiyans, Trunks and Goten are simply too immature to consider risking their lives intentionally for a temporary boost in power.

Ultimately, if the Saiyans desired unparalleled strength, they possessed the option of using the Dragon Balls to wish for it, rendering Zenkai Boosts unnecessary.

Check out Dragon Ball Z available for streaming on Crunchyroll.

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